Making a bathroom vanity taller

Question

Our vanity is short.  Is there a way to make it taller by adding to the original vanity's height and possibly reuse the counter/sinks?  Can the plumbing be lengthened to accommodate the extra height?  I would love to raise the vanity about 4 inches.  The pic is what it looks like now.

JannG · Answer

You'd need to temporarily remove everything but I would install a new underframe (toe kick) with the additional height you need. Then replace the cabinets and countertop on top of the new frame,. A little paint to match the cabinets, probably new moulding and you be good to go. The plumbing is easy. I'd replace the old drain pipe and p-trap with a new PVC extended pipe and new PVC p-trap which will fit on the old drain pipe into the wall. Its a little more difficult if its an older custom built cabinet (just a face on a frame). In that case you'd need to carefully remove the face and build a new box frame on the toe kick to attach the face. BUT if they're box cabinets, just put them back the way they came out.

Dee · Answer

I agree with Jann, however, I would put drawers in instead of a toe kick, or even a shelf. You can buy or make a draw. this way you would get a bit of extra storage too.The hardest part is going to get the plumbing in correctly as stated above, also be careful with the cultured marble top or you could be replacing that as well.

Z · Answer

If this were our bathroom, I would remove the vanity top and add onto the top. Less destruction and reconstruction that way. You would having the plumbing work still. 
If you replaced the front of the top drawer and the panels in front of each sink with taller ones then repainted everything, no one would know that you altered your vanity.

Clök Concept · Answer

I would lift up everything by adding nice legs like those : http://www.homedepot.ca/product/hardwood-early-american-leg-1-3-8-in-x-1-3-8-in-x-8-in/904309 If it is too high, there are different sizes. This would even allow you to add baskets under your vanity.

Tara · Answer

The easiest would be add 2x4 frame at the bottom.

Alton · Answer

You can add to the top but will be hard to match the paint . Cover the joint with small window mull or make with 1/4 lip hangover to break up paint line .

Tom · Answer

Tara is correct, but if you are willing to raise it 6 inches you may be able to add a drawer and only need to detatch the vanity top.you will also need to adjust your drains as well as water supply lines to the faucets.( they may still reach, easy to figue out)

Barbara Aragon · Answer

I did exactly what JannG explained. I made a base frame out of 2 x 4s , and re-set the existing cabinet and countertop on top of the frame. Then I just put a new 'face frame' over the bottom and stained that to match the cabinetry. (I first took off the countertop, then removed the cabinetry, refinished the cabinets, and put in new flooring. I had to make the hole in the back of the cabinetry longer so that the plumbing would still fit. I just used an extension on the plastic tubes in the drain trap to match up with the hole in the wall Before putting the countertop back on, I replaced the faucets...much easier to access when the top is off.)

Le'a Gerhardt · Answer

I have same problem with short counters in baths. Did you have to add extensions to ALL the other equipment? Pipes, water lines, drains, etc?

Janice Maharrey · Answer

I re-tiled and added a vessel sink!

Sharon Bourque Betsill · Answer

I actually had somewhat  of a base board BUT I added bunt feet it looks really nice

Salvatore · Answer

Jann G has the best solution, and have seen some builders do it that way. They also run led rope lighting under the cabinet kick space hich adds a nice touch.

Connie · Answer

What to do about the back splash around the vanity top and the mirror?

Making a bathroom vanity taller

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Making a bathroom vanity taller

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